The Sphinx Responds!

The Sphinx responds to the idea of "renting" Egyptian monuments to tour companies

Antiquities ministry refuses to rent Egypt's archaeological sites

Antiquities ministry refuses to rent Egypt's archaeological sites

I had heard that it was somebody in Qatar who floated the idea. I think Egypt is really desperate if the Ministry of Finance would even look twice at such a thing. Who knows, maybe it's just media hype...

The latest cartoon:

President Morsi says: "Choose the Pyramid you like. If you buy two, you'll get the third free!"

Peek-a-Boo Sphinxes

Yesterday, I caught these sphinxes at Luxor Temple playing a game of peek-a-boo among the trees:

"Virtual Tours" Over Giza and More Photos

Cool! Check it out:
http://www.airpano.ru/files/Egypt-Cairo-Pyramids/start_e.html

And some more of my shots from my afternoon on the plateau:

Detail from the Royal Rest House next to Khufu 

Pyramid Scheme Part 1: End of an Era...

As of today, I am no longer a "Giza Pyramid Virgin"! I will never again be able to astonish people by saying that, although I have spent almost 8 seasons in Egypt, I have never visited the Pyramids. Saqqara, yes, two times. Giza, never! But I am doing it in style--staying at the Mena House with a view of the Pyramids from our balcony (Andrea Dudek is serving as witness to my "deflowering").

Up until today, I had taken pictures from the Ring Road, from the Fayoum Road, etc. like these I took this morning on our way from the airport:

But here I am on the balcony of our room:

And at the Sphinx:

And in the bar at the Mena House enjoying a well-deserved and refreshing "Aquarius" beverage after our pyramid trek:

And a last view from the Khan al Kalili restaurant tonight at dinner:

Andrea so eloquently described me today as "gob-smacked". That about sums it up! I will report in more detail later, but now I have to rest up for tomorrow's adventure--Saqqara and Dahshur.